SONNET 57

WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE

Being Your slave, what should i do but tend

Upon the hours and times of Your desire?

i have no precious time at all to spend,

Nor services to do till You require.

Nor dare i chide the world-without-end hour

Whilst i, my Sovereign, watch the clock for You,

Nor think the bitterness of absence sour

When You have bid Your servant once adieu.

Nor dare i question with my jealous thought

Where You may be, or Your affairs suppose,

But, like a sad slave, stay and think of naught

Save where You are how happy You make those.

So true a fool is love that in Your will,

Though You do anything, he thinks no ill.